September 18, 2025

BFBS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BFBS TV FOR ARMED FORCES AT RTS CAMBRIDGE CONVENTION 2025

Today, BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) proudly marks BFBS TV’s 50th anniversary. First launched on 18th September 1975 in Celle, West Germany, this golden milestone coincides with the Royal Television Society’s (RTS) Cambridge Convention at King’s College, a fitting stage to celebrate five decades of trusted partnerships, delivering top-quality television to the UK Armed Forces and their families overseas.

On its inaugural broadcast Hilary Osborn declared: “It is a historic moment for us in BFBS as we open up our first television service.” From a 30-foot mobile control room at Trenchard Barracks, with content support and engineering expertise from the BBC and ITV contractor London Weekend Television, BFBS TV began transmitting UK programmes abroad.

From tape distribution in 1975 in Celle, to live news and sports via a bespoke microwave link in the 1980’s - stretching from Wembley across northern, eastern and western Europe, eventually reaching West Berlin – to satellite coverage in the 1990’s and the introduction of multi-channel and initial live services for the Royal Navy, BFBS TV has consistently adapted to meet the needs of its audience.

The launch of secure streaming in 2014, followed by on-demand services in 2018 brought BFBS TV into the digital era, offering over 2,000 hours of content to browse, and up to 40 live channels wherever personnel are posted. This includes bespoke edge solutions enabling streaming, catch-up TV, audio and digital print offerings, whether at sea or in locations where connectivity is limited.

As of 2025, BFBS TV works with more than 20 trusted partners including British public service broadcasters, subscription TV and streaming platforms, international studios and sports rights holders, all supporting the service in reaching armed forces communities overseas.

Ben Chapman, CEO of BFBS, said: “Celebrating 50 years of BFBS TV at the RTS Convention was a powerful moment to honour our history and thank the studios, stakeholders, and teams whose outstanding content and collaborative partnerships have kept the UK Armed Forces connected for half a century. We also raised a glass to every colleague who has made this possible.”

Adam Hardwick, Deputy Director of BFBS TV & Cinemas, added: “Reaching this milestone is about recognising the breadth of services BFBS TV delivers today. From live sports, movies and series to trusted news, children’s content and so much more, we’re proud to offer a service that continues to innovate and evolve to meet the changing needs of the armed forces community wherever they are deployed or posted.”

More information on BFBS TV can be found here.

South Cerney: Trick or Treat event - Thu 30 Oct

 

Please note this is only for those with access to Duke of Gloucester Barracks

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Bath & Bristol: Festival Of Discovery events

 

The South West’s free 'Festival Of Discovery' has arrived, with events taking place across Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, and online.

Across September and October, FUTURES is transforming familiar spaces into arenas of discovery, creativity, and conversation. From climate change to AI, ancient history to the future of food, world-class researchers are bringing their work to life through hands-on experiments, interactive workshops, thought-provoking talks, late-night museum openings, and more.

Whether you’re looking for a family day out, a chance to ask burning questions, or simply a fresh way to see your city, FUTURES has something for everyone.

Please click here to read more about the events, including four across Bath & Bristol.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

North Wiltshire: Family Navigator role with Spurgeons


Family Navigator role
  • Family Support & Community Outreach
  • Part-time
  • Remote in North Wiltshire
Please click here for details

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Lichfield: DMS(W) BFBS Cinemas Showings - 16 to 28 September


 Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Lichfield: Housing Surgery - 23 September - DMS Whittington


 

Information provided by Central HIVE Hub

Farnham: Saturday Clubs at UCA Farnham dates are 1 , 8 , 15 , 22 November 10:00 am to 2pm

 



Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Extra school funding for Service children: Service Pupil Premium 2025

Help your child’s school to qualify for Service Pupil Premium funding by sharing your Service status by 2 October 2025.

The Department for Education (DfE) provides additional funding through the Service Pupil Premium in England. The SPP grant goes directly to academies and non-maintained state schools, as well as local authorities for each school they maintain.

The SPP grant for 2025 is £350 per Service pupil – children from Reception to Year 11 may be eligible.

To help your child’s school to qualify for SPP, Service parents are encouraged to inform schools of their Service status ahead of the autumn census deadline of Thursday 2 October 2025. You can do this by talking to the headteacher or school administration staff.

About the Service Pupil Premium

The main purposes of the Service pupil premium are to:
  • help mitigate the negative impact of high mobility on a Service pupil’s education
  • enable schools to offer pastoral support to eligible pupils, particularly during times of family separation such as deployments
It is for the school to decide how the money is spent. Funding can be used to help individual pupils or larger support projects.

Am I eligible?

Pupils attract SPP if they meet one of the following criteria:

• One of their parents is serving in the regular Armed Forces (including pupils with a parent who is on full commitment as part of the Full-Time Reserve Service).

• One of their parents died while serving in the armed forces and the pupil receives a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pensions Scheme.

• They have been registered as a ‘Service child’ in the most recent autumn DfE school census or they do not currently have ‘Service child’ status but they have been registered as a ‘Service child’ on any DfE school census in the past 6 years.

• One of their parents is in the armed forces of another nation and is stationed in England.

For more information about the Service Pupil Premium, including its purpose and what it’s used for, visit GOV.UK (www).

Aldershot: Shots Foundation Sight Loss Soccer

 

On the first Monday of every month, The Shots Foundation run a sight loss soccer session at the Samuel Cody School from 1730-1830.

The Shots Foundation run these sessions to provide those over 16 with any range of sight loss the opportunity to keep active and keep their love of football alive, because football is for all.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Wellesley Woodlands health walks - every friday



Information provided by South East HIVE Hub